Message For Zach

Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:40 am

I think "Mustangdriver" is a nice guy, just spoke to him by phone and got some advice about an airspace matter. I consider him a friend, hope he still considers me one.

But I don't share his good opinion of the Gen who runs or was running the NMUSAF when they confiscated the P-82 from the CAF. And I have doubts about it when he continues to say good things about the AF when they try to take more airplanes from someone.The CAF foolishly left a hole in their armor, and the Gen found the soft spot. And of course I may be wrong and he right about this latest part. It just has a bad smell about it and one party is the one who had the skunk running things before.

I can't understand why you think I'd want to phone Chanute? I have only a few memories of that dump and none good. I can't recall one name or one face of any of the military cretins there,or anything they said. I pretty much tuned them out like a neighbors barking dog, made it through my time there, barely,and got back to the real world.It's sort of like watching a Charlie Sheen interview, you hear the noise, but realize it is pretty much coming from nowhere; just a drug trip. Power for little people is a drug just like Meth. I have about as much desire to talk to Chanute or visit as the Browns have to see O J.

I hope you and I are still friends. I do ok on WIX with guys attacking me for owning or flying a Spitfire, as well as a few who like me only because of that; and a number of guys,or girl who hate me for what I write, not personally about them, but about what they write.

So I look at the source, feel lucky that I don't drink the same kool aid or at the same teaparty.
I can take all that, BUT PLEASE DON'T CUT ME OFF THE DEVILED EGGS AND CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE LIST. THAT WOULD REALLY HURT.

Almost forgot, it's good that the AF museum has a new Pres. But BP also has a new Pres., that doesn't restore any of the Gulf or the people hurt by the oil spill. Will this new guy at the AF museum return the P-82 to the CAF? Will he reimburse the legal fees spent? Will he even write an apology for the way this was done? Not too likely.

Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:07 am

Hey Bill, I still like ya!

Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:48 am

Bill, a response if I may. First, we are still friends. Second, there is a little thing called a PM (private message) that can be used to send a person a message without posting to the whole board. Third, not only will there be devilled eggs and cookies at the AirVenture WIX gathering, there will most likely be some hotdog salad courtesy of Warbird Radio - you are welcome to as much as you can handle! Fourth, the folks at Chanute are museum staff, not the military staff that made your life hell. Fifth, the NMUSAF is not a bad guy here - they own the majority of the airplanes on display at Chanute.

If your Spit was being neglected at the restoration shop, would you leave it there for further neglect? You'd most likely take it back or move it to where it could be properly taken care of. I don't blame Chanute for the problems they have maintaining the collection - it's a huge collection and very few people to take care of it. Add to that a dwindling budget and the problems increase exponentially. General Metcalf and the new guy (sorry, don't know his name off the top of my head) are looking out for the collection they have been tasked with preserving. It's what good museums strive to do. EAA hasn't always had a perfect record at taking care of things either, but then again, I can't think of any organization that does.

Now to change the subject completely, what are the weight limits for that backseat in the Spit again? I'm exercising and dieting, and I could use a goal weight to shoot for. :wink:

Thu Mar 03, 2011 1:56 pm

No intention of entering this discussion. However, here's some information for Zach and others if interested.

The new Museum Director is Retired Lt. General Jack Hudson. As an Air Force Pilot he was a T-38 Instructor, an A-10 Pilot, and was also a test Pilot at Edwards AFB. His biography also states he flew A-7's and I believe over 3,000 hours in some 42 types of aircraft.

As a little side note. I was told by a very reliable source that one evening after the museum was closed, he took one of the museum's motorized carts (no charge for visitors to use) and toured the entire museum to see what various exhibits, storyboards, etc. looks like to a handicap person in a wheel chair.

A few changes to date are the re-naming of the Air Power Gallery to that of the WWII gallery as well as the Modern Flight to the Korean & SEA War Galleries.

I have had a number of conversations with the General and have enjoyed each one as not only did he answer my questions but inquired about my military service, assignments, etc.

As a Korean Veteran, I can only add that my time as a volunteer, is most enjoyable in dealing with visitors from all over the world. By my choice, I volunteer only in the Korea and SEA galleries.

AND A NOTE TO BILL .. and or others ...

I've been asked to do a "Spitfire" embroidered hat. Have come up with the attached digitized design. Any constructive comments will be greatly appreciated.